We Are What We Eat: Change Your Diet Before It’s Too Late

Your Diet: Food Allergies And Other Health Risks

There is no denying that food plays an essential role in your everyday life. As if proof was needed, the abundance of recipe books and food pictures on social media platforms is probably enough to show a trend. People, if they don’t live to eat, certainly have a special place for their favorite food. However, the relationship that most people have with food can be a little tricky, if not unhealthy.

France has recently banned from the catwalk models who suffer from an eating disorder and are therefore unhealthily thin. While this is a bold move in the world of fashion, where models seem to be getting thinner every year, this speaks volumes in a society where appearance is more important that health. It isn’t the only problem with food. Allergies and intolerance issues have grown in importance, making it impossible for some individuals to enjoy a normal meal. So what’s wrong with our diet?

Food Allergies And Intolerance Are Real

It is difficult nowadays not to be reminded of food allergies and intolerance. Indeed, all you need to do is to step in a classroom to notice that they are filled with signs banishing certain types of food. Restaurants too have been inspired by this movement and now label their menus very precisely, indicating the presence of wheat, lactose, nuts, and many others.

Indeed, in the USA only, 15 million children are allergic to cow’s milk, soy, wheat, peanut, egg, shellfish or fish, and tree nuts. Some pinpoint the rise of allergies directly to the consumption of processed foods, preservatives, and other additives.

Common Allergic Issues Of Unhealthy Diets

However, while allergies and intolerance issues are on the rise, it doesn’t mean that all food-related issues are lethal. Most commonly, people who consume a type of food that doesn’t agree with them will find themselves suffering from slight stomach cramps, skin eczema – here’s a helpful guide on how to get rid of eczema on face as it’s a common reaction –, and symptoms that are very similar to hay fever. Some reactions are so small that people don’t even realize that they suffer from an allergic reaction. As surprising as it might sound, most minor allergic reactions are caused by the consumption of food coloring and preservatives.

Serious Health Risks Caused By Diet Issues

However, not everyone can have a lucky time with food. Some allergic reactions and intolerance issues can be extremely severe. In the USA only, 3 in 10 children can suffer from a deadly reaction to food allergy – this is extremely common in classrooms where children may be eating foods that they don’t know they are allergic to. Food intolerance can lead to chronic inflammatory disease, which can also affect your immune system.

As a result, you may be unwell continually. The medical evidence can trace known issues such as diabetes type I and pancreatitis, heart diseases, asthma, colitis and migraines to inflammatory conditions resulting from food intolerance. In short, it becomes important to know what you put on your plate and if it’s good for your body.

When Your Food Becomes A Drug

There is more than food intolerance to worry about. The food you consume can have a variety of effects on your body. One of the most underrated effects of food is the creation of addictive behaviors, similar to the behavioral patterns of someone who has a drug addiction. Processed pizza has an addiction rating of over 4, making it one of the most addictive foods. The main problem with pizza is that one slice already contains over 300 calories.

In short, the addiction makes you fat and can lead to heart disease. Chips too have an addiction rating of nearly 3. When tested on rats, chips created a pleasure addiction instead of hunger satisfaction, causing overeating and pursuit of pleasure. Don’t let the food take over your brain, that’s the piece of advice to keep from this.

When Your Food Causes Mental Disorders

On the topic of brain rewiring, food can cause more than just an addiction. It is in some ways directly linked to mental health. Common knowledge about food is that you will need to pay attention to your diet to maintain your mental health in old age. Consequently, medical studies have already demonstrated a connection between brain and food. However, what is worrying is that certain types of food, especially sugar and sweet foods, can increase the risk of mental disorders.

Indeed, the overconsumption of sugar suppresses the activity of a growth hormone in the brain. Unfortunately, low levels of this hormone are linked to depression and schizophrenia. Additionally, sugar consumption triggers a chronic inflammatory reaction in the body that, in the long term disrupts brain activities, increasing risks of depression and schizophrenia anew.

How Your Mind Can Change Your Relationship With Food

However, sometimes it’s the mental disorders that change the way you consume food, such as in the case of anorexia of emotional eating, for example. The Psychology of Eating has made its mission to help individuals reconnect with food at a healthy emotional level, without punishing themselves with starvation or compensating for their worries by binge eating. It is a difficult mission as millions of Americans have a difficult relationship with food, often as the result of a stressful situation.

Why You Need To Take Back Control

It is essential the people learn to take back control over their plate. Not only is there the worry of increasing food allergies, but there is a bigger worry. As we produce more processed foods, packages and waste, we damage the environment, making it more difficult for future generations to enjoy a healthy lifestyle on a clean planet. Switching to organic and seasonal food is not only supporting the environment but also fueling the body with the nutrients it needs during the day.

Additionally, people need to learn to control their portions. Indeed, overeating is a common issue that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and creates addictive behaviors that shut down your mental abilities. Food is the fuel you need to be healthy, controlling it is key to your mental health.